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Monday, November 12, 2012

Why did the Lakers hire Mike D’Antoni?

Did the Los Angeles Lakers tease legendary coach Phil Jackson with greatness only to stand him up? Possibly, as after a weekend that was filled with contract details and the names of Jackson’s potential assistant coaches, when the rubber-met-the-road, the Lakers hired another man.

The Lakers went with former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni who was basically considered the second-face-in-the-race.

According to ESPN, a deal was signed on Sunday at 11:30 p.m. that is a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth year.

The move is a bit surprising in light of how D’Antoni’s reign in New York ended.

He was not adept at dealing with the primetime egos that play at Madison Square Garden.

How is he going to manage the mosh-pit of pride that is Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash?

Not only is there a lot of pride on the court, there are three very different personality types in play.

The ability to get them together and of the same accord was thought to be Jackson’s biggest selling point.

I guess not.

So how did this happen?

Bryant has always admired D’Antoni’s playing career but going into this thing, it was thought that his past with Jackson would trump all with his input.

“I love PJ but I’m very excited about D’Antoni,” Kobe Bryant said.

That is all that you need to know.

Well not really.

“Obviously I think everyone knows how much I love Mike,” Nash said. “If (D’Antoni) were to coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.”

Boom.

So despite Jackson feeling “stunned” that he was not the guy, the fact is the inmates apparently are running the asylum out in Los Angles.